A/N: See first chapter for disclaimer. After receiving several reviews telling me to put line breaks for dialog I have started to do so. Also an I want to issue an apology ahead of time for the quality of the chapter, this being the longest chapter I've ever written there will be mistakes cropping up. Thank you fans or people interested in this story also for the 2K hits.
MadFrog2000: Thank you for your review. I am planning on doing some Omake's/interludes as well that will explore some of the other characters, this chapter will also be including more SAO characters. The death toll is from the nations that Argo has come into contact with, there are 5 more she hasn't met up with and that includes the chaos guys up north. I honestly don't know if Berserk would be completed by then, but by then it would be in popculture for almost thirty years. With the reason why I put Diabel in with the Averlanders instead of Bretonnia… well just read on through this chapter and you'll see. Yes there will be the new army list entries but they will be included further along in the story as the player's level up and 'unlock' these choices. The players are only in their low levels right now where they can unlock the core and a limited amount of special choices, depending on what profession they take on.
/
The Undercity-Middenheim
A few moments after midnight, December 7th 2022
When Adler had heard that Argo wanted to come with his party to the undercity he had thought she was joking and was only responding his joke, he had been proven wrong. The skaven woman had insisted she come with Adler and fifty of his wolves on their 'quest' to liberate Middenheim when they were at the gates of the Den. When he had that she wasn't needed and that it would be dangerous to have a pair of powerful guild leaders to be traveling together, as was the evidence of the attack on the Den, Argo had given him a very good argument as to why she could come.
The first point being she could not safely travel the underway back to the southern cities or Skavenblight while Clan Freaka, a sub clan of Clan Moulder which had attacked the Den along with the Averlanders, was unaccounted for and the main body of her guild was in Nuln so she couldn't count on them arriving to help her or clear a way in the underway. Then she made her second point that even if she had gone over ground she would have to travel with Eugene and Yullier, given what their part of the liberation plan it was again safer to stay with the Golden Wolves. The third part of her argument was that in the undercity it was going to be better to have scouts who were very much at home underground and built to be sneaky on this mission. As much as the map Argo had sold to Adler had helped them find which way to go, it wasn't much help to determine what sort of monsters were in their way in the paths ahead so her guards were of value to the Golden Wolves.
Adler had sense there was going to be another reason but was held back, he had a suspicion that if he played the 'sex' card she would say that gender didn't matter in a video game so much as stats and skills. He never played that card before in game or out though, if a person earned their position in life it didn't matter what color, sex or orientation they were, they had earned it and his respect. Of course that didn't mean there weren't some people or organizations that earned his ire, but they had to go out of their way to make his life a personal hell before he really started to hate them, the PLA being one such organization along with their leaders.
So after Argo had laid out her argument Adler let her come along with his men with a minimal amount of fuss. When they had set out from the Den, Argo noticed something odd about the players and their equipment in the party. All of the players were male and white, that was odd because the Golden Wolves had never been ones to decriminate against their fellow players. The second oddity was that there were two distinct types of players, exactly 30 players were halberd users and another 20 were crossbowmen. The fact that this group wasn't using mixed weaponry was unsettling since the golden wolves typically worked in small units of mixed specialists. She had kept silent though, she had enough trouble to worry about besides them. Now they were hundreds of feet underground the city of Middenheim slowly making their way up to the city proper. Actually fighting their way through mobs was a more appropriate expression.
The mobs they had been facing were known as 'rouge' skaven and mutants. The rouge part coming from the fact that these skaven were not part of the player base or larger skaven nation, but were rather organized mobs that were armies onto themselves. Adler had faced 'rouge' versions of Empire state troops and beastmen in the wilds of the Middenland and Hochland and were found to be surprisingly common, they were a few steps above the single mobs and needed a large party to deal with them, but still they were digital constructs and easily eliminated.
Argo's scouts had been earning their reputation by going ahead of the main body of players, reporting back where there were larger concentrations of the rouges. So far the fifty golden wolves in the party had been the ones to go toe to toe with the larger regiments of Skaven. Thankfully they were mostly clanrats, skaven slaves and storm vermin and the terrifying warmachines of the ratmen were not to be found just yet. As a party they had killed over 1000 mobs in the two hours they had been in the undercity with the promise of many more still to come.
It was in between rooms and larger rouge skaven regiments, while there were single mobs for individual players to take on, that Argo and Adler were able to talk to each other. They were at the front of the column of Golden Wolves, ten yards ahead of the group and were able to have some privacy while they spoke to each other." So… can we talk without my guild going broke?" Asked Adler half-jokingly, she had already cost him 500 gold pieces for the map and he just wanted to be sure that if they had a chat that they wouldn't be more business partners than acquaintances.
She gave a chuckle." Only if you ask for specifics, other than that ask away." She told him.
Adler breathed an internal sigh of relief." Thanks. So what's happening in the old world today?" He asked.
"Can you be a little more specific?" Argo asked. A moment later she added." No charge… actually when I say 'cash' you'll know if it'll cost you something."
Adler nodded, the girl was quick on her feet he had to give her that." Well then, my first big question is what's happening in Marianburg? I've heard rumblings that they are meeting with the PLA but that seems… a bit counterproductive if they want to keep their money?"
The coastal city of Marianburg was one of the wealthiest of all cities in the old world, the elves may have had the wealthiest but for this continent Marainburg was the richest of all. They were so rich that they 'bought', or more properly bribed, their independence from the Empire around a hundred years earlier. In game terms that meant each Empire player who had selected Marainburg as their starter city got a bonus 10 gold pieces and also had better barter skill's to ply on the NPC and less savvy players. That made the whole affair of them opening up talks with PLA, who were at the best of times tax farmers and went all the way down to a bunch of thugs, so very…disturbing.
Argo answered his question." It's because they want to escape as much as the PLA does, they just didn't go down the same route. Marainburg didn't have any 'occupiers' like the other cities in the Empire did and with their extra money they didn't really have a reason to go after collectors. Actually the city is ruled over by a council of collectors because they were able to buy their seats of power, so they could make alliances or go to war with whoever they want. The same goes for Clan Freaka. The PLA are gunning to become evil and destroy the Grand Temple of Sigmar ASAP. If Marainburg joins up with the PLA in alliance they are considered part of the same faction so when the PLA does destroy the Grand Temple of Sigmar then they will be free to leave. But that would mean leaving behind hundreds of thousands of players who would be left in the game.
Adler swore." Sweet Sigmar, it makes a twisted kind of sense. The more players that they murder in cold blood or reduce their karma meter then the quicker they will be able to escape. If they were less crazy about getting collectors in the beginning and not so much about PKing and had actually be in contact with the other races then I would of joined them but…. But all the could have been's doesn't change what has happen. They have gone too far and caused so many deaths that they must be stop."
He sighed heavily and looked at Argo apologetically." I'm sorry for the rant, when I get started thinking and I talk at the same time that happens."
The ratwoman waved off his apology." It's alright. I'm with you on your reasoning…." Argo bit her lips in thought before adding." I have my own concerns about the PLA and Marainburg. You see the Marainburgers may not have anything against collectors but they do certainly have it out for Beta testers."
Adler quirked an eyebrow." You mean their buying into that… what's his name… Kikichu… Kikiowho…kiosu…. Cactus Head's ramblings down in Averland?"
Argo giggled at that." His name is Kibaou though that does fit him fairly well." She then lost her humor as she continued on." Yes and no, you see before they heard about Kibaou they had problems with beta's offering bad contracts to players, leading groups into monster dens and then leaving them to die and for them to pick over the dead. That really turned the community against the beta's and they killed most of them, there weren't many only a few dozen in that city but… the damage was done. I lost a few contacts I had from the Beta as well." It was her turn to sigh and shrug." But hate seems to be joined by hate, so Kibaou keeps stirring up the Averlanders and the Marainburgers listen to him."
"So you're a beta like Jack?" Adler asked casually. Argo said one word in reply." Cash."
Adler could tell from the tone in her voice that she didn't want to go further into the subject so he let the matter drop. Instead he asked another question." I understand what's happening with the dwarfs with them allowing refugees to seek asylum in their holds. I also know that the reason why they aren't joining our side out right is because of some trouble with greenskin players. The same for goes for the greenies. But what's bothering me is that why haven't heard a word from Bretonnia and the wood elves. Not a knight errant or way watcher has been spotted in the Empire, I thought for sure they would be crawling over the country side doing quests or making alliances. So why haven't they?"
Argo was silent and opened up her menu to read something before she closed it." Alright, so I can tell you about what's happening there but if you want names of people and specifics about what's going on then it will cost you. 50 gold up front." She told him.
Adler opened his menu and with a few clicks a bag of gold appeared in his hand which he gave to the information broker. She pocketed the cash into her inventory and then continued to speak." Bretonnia is in a middle of an outright civil war. The opposite of what happened in the Empire happened there. The collectors banded together and decided to 'role play' out their medieval wet dream. The collectors in each of the major cities were able to pool their cash and buy baron titles for a few of their kind. So they were able to make knights or men of arms out of anyone that they thought was proper enough to earn it. That meant no one who looked like a peasant or a woman, unless they were collectors as well. That didn't go over well with the populace since even if a person was at level one he was also knight errant he would get a starting force of 10 men at arms or bowmen and all the equipment to become a knight."
"After that announcement the 'undesirables' made a break for it to get out of the cities, a few thousand made it out before the gates were shut. Since then it's been a civil war with the rebels on the losing side, though they have hedge knights of their own now after a month of level grinding and things have even out now. The big players are Michelle of Avignon, a long bowman build and leader of the Southern Bretonnian peasants and Marquis Giles de Rais leader of the collector barons. He's the one who shut down the routes to the Empire an-" Argo felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to Adler." Eh?"
He leaned down and spoke to her in a whisper." If this dude is going by that avatar name Bretonnia is going to be in some serious deep shit if the Barons win." He then explained to her the sordid details about the real life de Rais. It made her sick at hearing of the French lord's exploits, from causing his family to go bankrupt, to his practices with the occult and the mass murder/sexual assault of children he perpetrated in his castle to summon demons. If this player was trying to intimidate even a fraction of the real person's life… she felt very concern over the fate of Bretonnia.
"We'll deal with him at a later point. Till then we have our own daemons to deal with… and what about the welfs?" Adler asked pulling away from Argo.
"Welfs?... oh you mean wood elfs. Well that's just the thing, the little contact that my scouts or the Bret's have been having hasn't been productive. Mostly it consists of warnings 'Stay out of our forest, this is our hunting ground' and the players that do decide to go into the forest end up looking like pin cushions." Argo told him.
Adler nodded in understanding." I see so the west is filled with hard core RPers." Then a moment later he added, with a bit of humor in his voice." Well this continent is pretty messed up. I wonder what the high and mighty elves and their emo cousins will think when they finally reach the old world.' Alright laddies back on the ships were going the long way around to take out the Chaos Gate'." He finished in a rather horrible Irish accent.
Argo cracked a smile, it was good that some people still had at least a little humor, though Adler was pretty bad, he was at least attempting to lighten the mood in this grim world.
/
Altdorf, The Reikland-Middenland border and Nuln
The Early Hours of December 7th
It was not just in Middenheim that a scheme was being put into play. Across the Empire final preparations were finished and the opening moves of open rebellion were made. When night came the fate of tens of thousands of players would be decided, either the Empire players would be free to explore the Old World or to be always under the thumb of the PLA.
Out on the Middenheim-Altdorf road was a patrol station for the PLA. It was a wooden border fort with a garrison of 10 players and 167 bots. They were here to discourage any Golden Wolves or beastmen from going any further south. If the beastmen or Golden Wolves tried to attack the fort or made their way to the south then the fort could be easily over whelmed from the much higher number of players, despite the light cannons lining the wall. But that wasn't the real purpose of the fort, it was meant to send out a message to the main force of PLA soldiers in and around Altdorf. To have them prepare for a larger attack and to counter the rebels own attack.
It was a suicidal job, so only the most loyal to the PLA were chosen for this job, of course though that meant the criteria for intelligence was over looked. After all they only had to be loyal, report any large concentrations of rebels or beastmen and told that help will be there in a few moments notice. What was told though to them wasn't quite what was going to happen.
It was on this cold early December morning that the guard decided to move a little and look up the road towards Middenland. As he looked out of his guard house and to his great surprise, he saw a single figure standing in the middle of the road. He took a quick glance of the figure, it was draped in a red cloak and had a greatsword upon his back. If not for the player recital above his head the guard would of thought of it an quest event.
The guard then reached for the warning bell and rang it, all the while shouting." Trouble! Dude on the road! Wake up, wake up!" There was rustling within the fort as players awoke and started to activate their bots. The guard who spotted the figure moved his regiment of 14 handgunners to the wooden stockade, the AI bots had their guns at port arms till their master clicked on a target.
While this was going on the cloaked figure just stood on the road, his face obscured by the hood of his cloak. When the border's fort commander made it to the tower and shouted down at the figure." Who are you! State your business!"
The figure then reached behind his neck and drew his greatsword, not saying a word to the guards. The guards commander felt a trap from his instincts, he could feel that eyes were upon him and his men. He opened up his menu to send a message to Fort Schuler when he saw them, his instincts were telling the truth.
Moving around the fort was a mass of beastmen, thousands of bots and hundreds of players were marching to the south in the forest. They started to move as one when the commander had open his menu. He gulped loudly." O'bullocks." He said with a dry mouth, with so many beastmen his fort would be over run in a matter of seconds and he would be a dead man before he could get his message out.
The figure in red pulled back his hood and looked the commander in the eye." I am Eugene, brother of Mortimer and Friend of Steve. I am one of the three commanders of the Altdorf resistance, if you don't want to die in the next five minutes I would suggest that you listen to me." Eugene shouted at the commander.
Loyalty it seemed had a breaking point, that breaking point was a few thousand hate filled eyes looking back at you and the sudden realization that maybe you made the wrong choice in volunteering to be the warning bell. The guard commander spoke." I'm listening."
Eugene smirked and sheathed his blade." I just need you to send a message to Fort Schular."
/
In Altdorf, current capitol and center of the Empire, Mortimer had just receive a message from the northern gate house over the river. Mortimer was a man in his early thirty's, his hair slicked back with oil with a slim build unlike his younger brother. With his stance and a wisps of grey in his hair he looked like a senior business manager, which he was in his real occupation.
The message said that the entire northern garrison of PLA soldiers had left for fort Schuler, over 200 soldiers of the PLA. They were replaced by a reserve company of a hundred other PLA soldiers, leaving the city defended by 500 players. They were drawn to the North by a report of one of their border forts being overrun by 200 Golden Wolves. The Northern Barbarians were now making their way to Fort Schuler, 20 miles north of Altdorf and the last bulwark of defense against the Middenlanders save for the walls of Altdorf.
Mortimer knew the numbers the PLA were given were false though, instead of their being hundreds of Golden Wolves going to fight for the Fortress there was going to be only 50. The missing 150 wolves were already in Altdorf, snuck in on NPC river barges the day before when they rode to a town up the Talbec and hitched a ride on several barges. They included in their number a hedge mage named Jawa and their leader a young man by the name of Okime. The latter of the pair seemed to of had a wild streak ready to be unleashed as he paced back and forth in the small Altdorfian home.
The home was located in the Eastern part of the city where the western Reik flowed in and a few blocks away from the docks. It was a solitary two story house like thousands of others in the city, before it was bought the house was a home to an elderly NPC scholar, so the candle lights within the building wouldn't draw any suspicion from the PLA because scholars stayed up late working. They kept up the appearance that the old man was still living here and were able to operate for the past week within the confines of the home. Mortimer had to admit that this was better living conditions than in the sewers.
The houses owner was sitting in the second story study along with Okime and Mortimer. He was in his early fifty's and wore a light red and blue shirt and pants combo. He was oddly enough painting a small lead figurine of a knight with purple and white livery. The game designers had decided that it would be a fun easter egg to throw in overpriced miniature's in the old world that the players could collect and paint up as a shout out to the real world version of Warhammer." And there we go, one preceptor down and an entire regiment to go." Steve said as he put the knight on top of the desk along with ten others, their bases being a piece of flat wood painted and glued with scenery.
The older man looked up at Mortimer." Did the guards move out already?" Steve question.
As he finished speaking Okimes head turned to Mortimer and his message screen. Mortimer nodded." Yes. Now we need to get ready." Then Mortimer asked the Golden Wolf." Okime promise me that you can contain yourself a few hours more. I know you want to crack an PLA skull as much as us but-"
Okime held up a hand." I promise that I'll hold off on making a scene. But as soon as I get the word though…."
Mortimer nodded." Of course, you may create as much havoc as you want , but remember your objectives."
Okime said." Yay ya, I get it, make sure that we knock out as many PLA as possible and tie them up, but finish it up by an hour after the attack begins."
As he finished speaking Steve stood and put on a cuirass of steel with tassets and a helm in the shape of an eagle. At his waist was a pair of swords." Right I'm going to be leaving for the Imperial Palace District then. See you kids later on when we take over the city." He then lit a Tabaco pipe as he left the room heading down the stairs to the basement which had access to the sewers below. Okime then followed after him and to the southern side of the city. After Mortimer put on his own armor, a rather ornate gold and steel set with a brace of dueling pistols and a rapier. He then left for the eastern half of the city on the southern banks of the Reik.
/
In the sewers beneath Nuln, Thinker was traveling along with four of his fellow rebels. They traveled on a walkway with the sewage of the city flowing below them. Due to the huge influx of funds provided by the golden wolves yesterday each of the four humans, save for their skaven ally, was armed with a brace of double barreled pistols. The human players in the group wore mismatched armor and clothing, the best they could do since they were some of the poorest of the rebel fighters in the Empire.
Throughout the undergrounds 150 fighters, a third of which belonged to Argo's clan, were moving into position on the northern side of Nuln. In just a few moments the uprising would begin. Unlike the other cities in the empire that were about to participate in open warfare, the situation in Nuln was more precarious for the rebels. This was because of the huge number of PLA troopers in the city above, 900 of them in total. The pistols that the resistance had been able to buy were indeed a evener of odds, but it just gave them a slight edge. It was an razor edge that which if this plan didn't work out then they would be captured and hanged.
It was a risk Thinker and the rest of the underground were willing to make for the 10,000 players forced to stay within the confines of the city under their PLA masters. They may not embrace the rebels as their leaders after this but they would be thankful at least for the freedom to move about the country side and get stronger so they could escape the game eventually. So the rebels moved into position throughout the city, in teams of three or five, getting ready to ambush the patrols of PLA that kept a semblance of order in Nuln.
Thinker stopped and turned to a door way in the sewers wall, he opened it leading to a stair well. He lead the way for his comrades up the stairs and into the tavern." Make yourselves at home and get some breakfast, no PLA are here right now so enjoy the peace while you can."
/
Middenheim
A Few Moments Before Sunrise
For the past hour the fifty Golden Wolves had been resting in the basement of a tavern called 'The Laughing Jackass'. A few of their number going top side to get warm food for them from the kitchens above while they waited for the second part of their plan to start. They were very close to their destination now, they were only a level below the streets of the city which spawned them a month ago and only a few hundred yards from their first real objective, the Westgate.
If the Golden Wolves had possession of that gate then their re-enforcements could arrive and they could proceed in liberating the city.
Adler was sitting on the floor across from a window, watching and waiting for the sun to rise. At his side Argo was catching a cat nap, resting her back against his right shoulder. She had been going as long as Adler had been after all since the Averlanders attack a few days previous. She had the bonus of mental strain as well since she was an info broker and had to keep near constant contact with her associates, the planning for the coming battle hadn't helped her stress levels. So with the opportunity to take a well-deserved moment of rest arose she took it. Adler was tired, but he kept pushing himself more and more since they were so close to the end of their journey.
Her nap didn't last much longer though. As the sun finally crested the walls of Middenheim and filled the street above with sun light, Adler shook Argo awakening her." Uh eh?" She asked as she looked around.
"It's time to move." Adler spoke to her before he stood up. Then he spoke loud enough for the rest of his boys to hear." Get up gents, time to go top side."
Argo stood and was the first to climb upstairs followed by her scouts and the Golden Wolves. She reached the taverns door and behind her the rest of her companions stopped. Argo opened the door and looked out to the deserted street and the nearby graveyard beyond, she spoke while looking out." I'll go on ahead and scout for the PLA, you guys stay here an-" From behind she heard dozens of menus open up and as she pulled her head back into the tavern to find out what was going on. Argo was surprised to see that the Golden Wolves had shed their wolf cloaks and missed matched clothing for something uniform. They each wore the blue uniform of a state trooper, wearing a sallet helmet and breast plate, two of which carried a banner and a drum.
Adler smirked in his officer's garb at her, wearing an open faced, plumed, wolf helm and a steel inscribed cuirass." We're not actually states troops you see." He winked at Argo.
The information broker then understood why they had been selected for this mission, with the regularity of the weapons and uniforms, alongside with those in them, the Golden Wolves looked like State Troopers of Middenheim. They could look like any other NPC soldier in the city and with a commander who already looked like an NPC… But there was one flaw with their plan." Your recitals…." She pointed above Adler's head.
He chuckled, understanding what she meant and said to her." You'll see soon enough how were going to hide them." He then gave a slight bow and held his hand out to the door." Ladies first."
Argo took the offer of going out first and walked outside but then going into an ally way next to the tavern. Adler and his golden wolves followed after him, forming up into a pair of companies in the street facing the west. The first was the unit of Halberdiers, twenty seven to be exact along with a drummer, standard bearer and Adler leading them. The second company was twenty crossbowmen, their weapons drawn and shouldered. The halberdiers were drawn up into a unit five across and six deep. The crossbowmen were two yards behind the Halberdiers in their own unit of five across and four deep.
Adler waved his right hand forward giving the order." Battalion March!" He began walking and his men followed after him. After stumbling into each other in the first few steps, the Golden Wolves straighten out their marching order with help from their drummer, who played a simple beat for the players to walk to. Argo and her scouts kept to the alley ways, scurrying ahead of the main group of players always on the lookout for the black and white checker pattern the PLA wore on their uniforms.
To those players who had been trapped in Middenheim and not part of the PLA, as they rested in the alley's or doorways trying to keep warm in the early morning, the sight of the players drew many stares. But those were from the people who had woken up and they were far and few between at day break. The few that were awake and amongst their friends gathered around small fire barrels to warm their limbs, they spoke in quite tones as they watched the procession pass by. Before they could investigate or bring the news to anyone else in the city, one of the skaven would appear and offer a few silver coins to those that had seen the players. The trapped Middenheimers would accept the money and forget all about what they had seen, after all many if not all of them hadn't a penny to their name from being deprived of hunting of mobs.
The Golden Wolves then turned onto a street a few hundred yards away from the Westgate, the suns at their back they marched west towards the PLA position at the gates. Argo was ahead of her scouts and managed to get a good look at the PLA defenses. They were designed to be defended from threats within the city with sandbags surrounding the gates, with opening to allow for NPC traffic to pass through harmlessly. The swivel guns on the sandbags and along a section of the tower were designed to stop anyone from exiting. The PLA themselves were of a much lower quality than that which attacked the Golden Wolves a days earlier, because they hadn't been able to draw upon the 'resources' the Averlanders had been able to. Those resources being the funds of captured collectors and being able to fight tougher mobs unhindered by rebels.
The guards wore heavy leather or light metal armor in pieces and had little uniformity amongst them, save for the ranged oriented blokes had match lock muskets. They were of poorer quality than even wheel locks and the cities own guard weapons, but still had the stopping power as those other weapons. If a player was hit out in the field it would be fairly bad for their HP bar, doubly so if it was a head shot, but in the confines of the city it would do little more than knock a person over or with a head shot knock them out. That was if the person getting shot was from the same starting city though, if that person wasn't then he or she would suffer the same injuries as they would in the field.
Argo watched the guards lazily watch outwards for the presence of Golden Wolves or a few turn their gaze inwards to watch for any rabble rousers amongst the population of Middenheim. Her breath was caught in her throat as she watched one of the guards looked directly at the incoming Golden Wolves. He blinked an raised a hand above his forehead to shield his eyes, he then shook his head and then turned back around to rest against his sand bag. It took her a moment to understand why the guard hadn't roused his companions into action and unload the swivel guns at the Golden Wolves, but it made sense to her when she saw the guard raise his hand up. He was blinded by the rising sun, the reticles would of impossible to see as were the details of the Golden Wolves. They would appear as simple NPCs and not an enemy force at a distance. But as the distance closed those differences would become much more noticeable. It would only be a matter of time till the PLA would notice…
The Golden Wolves were twenty yards from the gate when another PLA guard looked at the approaching fake state troopers. Unlike the first guard who just shrugged off the incoming Golden Wolves, this guard saw the reticles above the Golden Wolves heads. He punched one of his comrade in the arm." Hey there's trouble co-" Before he could finish his sentence, Adler shouted." Charge! Charge!" He and his halberd armed guild mates charged at the gates, the standard bearer joining them as the drummer beat his drum tunelessly quickly.
Half of the PLA guards were still asleep, they were resting for their shift in another hour, that meant there were twenty guards on duty at the moment. Half of which were armed with the matchlocks, most of them though were more concern with what may happen outside of the walls rather than within. The only guard to get off a shot before the Golden Wolves leapt over the sandbags was the guard that had noticed the recitals above the players heads. His shot caught a wolf in the chest as he stood over the sandbagged wall, it knocked him over and dented his armor, knocking the wind from him, but still he was still awake. The guard that shot the wolf was knocked out by a halberd blow to the head.
The fight in and around the gate was savage, quick and mostly done by the Gold Wolves in less than a minut. They struck the half asleep guards with strikes to the head with their halberds, knocking them down and out. They moved quickly easily over powering the guards from their higher strength characteristic. At the base of the stairs leading to the top of the gate house Adler drew his pistols as he climbed to the top, his banner man right behind him. He unloaded his first pistol at a guard at the top of the stairs, catching him in the chest and knocking him to the cobblestone below. The second shot he fired at the leg of a PLA man on the top of the wall, the guard was standing above him with a match lock aimed for his head. The pistol shot was the first fired and the matchlock fired as its user collapsed onto the ground still conscious his head over the wall above the staircase. With a swift head-butt delivered by Adler though, since they were at the same level of head height, the man was knocked out.
Adler then holstered his pistols and drew his warhammer. The last three guards saw him as he reached the top of the stairs, they were protecting the gate house proper and were armed with melee weapons. One of them though got a good look at Adler and recognized him from the wanted posters plastered on the gate below." Oh shit." He said and took a step back, his comrades saw what he did and then realized that they were looking right at Adler. His reputation as barbarian rebel leader, who was brutal and merciless in his fighting, who was said to of taken on several bosses all by himself, had a certain fearful effect on the PLA guards. It didn't help them that Adler had a 10,000 gold piece reward, from the Averlander PLA since they could afford it, for his head because of his actions against them.
Adler smirked at the trio." Drop your weapons and put your hand up, then join your buddies at the entrance. Be quick now or I'll throw each of you off the walls… and it looks to be a long way down." A mile to be precise, but even at a hundred feet it would be a practically nasty death, many players who had given up hope of escaping had already taken that option. The guards then threw down their weapons one by one, put their hands over their heads and after a short discussion amongst themselves that the best way to satisfy Adler's order was to jump down to the melee below. The trio jumped down and landed hard on their bodies, finding themselves quickly surrounded by the halberdiers who they promptly surrender to.
Adler roared in laughter as the remaining six guards followed their fellow's examples.' It's like watching lemmings.' He then lead his standard bearer to the top of the gate house." Start waving it." Adler spoke to the Golden Wolf.
"Yes boss!" The standard bearer then started to wave the flag, a golden wolf over a white and blue quarter field. Below in the forest thousands of bots emerged from the tree line along with 150 Golden Wolves. Jack was leading this group as they started to run up the ramparts of the Westgate towards the city. There were more practical ways, the easiest was to just send a PM consisting of 'Doors open, come on in'. But it wasn't as cinematic as a the early morning sun rising over the city, the Golden Wolves flag dancing amongst the light rays and with thousands of bots marching up the stone highways to the city of the white wolf.
As the Golden Wolves made their way up into the city their raiding party was still at work. The Halberdiers slung their weapons over their shoulders or rested them against the sandbags as they went to work tying up the PLA. Despite being knocked out the guards had the harassment window appear in front of them. Unlike the first time the Golden Wolves fought at the west gate a month ago, where they escaped into the forest before the original 'Occupy' movement had awaken. If the PLA had pressed 'yes' on being harassed that one of the Golden Wolves who had harassed or knocked them out would be sent to the city's jail for a day. So when that PLA guard awoke from unconsciousness he would meet a Golden Wolf who would give him a choice. Either the guard would press 'no' on the harassment window and follow his or hers instructions and survive or the Golden Wolf would throw him off the Ulricsberg while still tied up.
To the PLA guards that were still awake the process was sped up a bit, they just needed to open up their menu's and surrender all their money and equipment to the Golden Wolves, who would add the cash to the guilds treasury and when things had quitted down would sell the equipment and add the money to the treasury. Then the guard would be taken into custody with no further harm done to them. Then again if they didn't want to do that there was all ways the long drop from the top of the walls….
While the Halberdiers were working on the prisoners the crossbowmen on the other hand were taking care of setting up defenses at the gates. They took up positions with the swivel guns and behind the sandbags with their crossbows. Their re-enforcements were to be arriving soon, but between now and the mile long hike the PLA guards could make a counter attack and take back the gate if they concentrated their forces.
The attack… never came. There were sightings of some PLA guards sent to investigate the going's on at the West Gate, but before they could send back a message Argo's own scouts had removed them from play, adding them to the pile of knocked out guards. Argo herself joined up with the Golden Wolves at the gate, some of the trapped players started to investigate as well getting near to the gates before being shouted off by the Golden Wolves.
Argo saw Adler walk down from the gate house, changing out of his officers armor into his 'Barbarian' outfit. Which consisted of his bare chest, wolf cloak, blue pants and fur trimmed boots. It must have been freezing to the man but he gave little indication he was affected by the cold. He saw her and waved." How'd you like the show so far?"
"It's been decent, looks like your plan is coming together. Though I wonder how you plan on topping the past five minutes in awesome?" Argo answered with a smirk. She had to give it to the Golden Wolves they certainly knew how to put on an event, but also be practical about what they did in the event. Argo had to wonder if Adler was a part time actor back in the real world.
Adler smiled and said." It wasn't all my idea, Jack was the guy who came up with the state troopers part and I realized that the sun could blind the players as well. And about topping the past five minutes…." His smile widen as the first of his re-enforcements arrived on horseback. They were single players with no soldiers and had musical instruments and banners instead of weapons. They hopped off their horses and tied them to posts by the gates. Adler then told Argo." Watch this."
He strode forward to his newly arrived players, his warhammer held across his shoulders." Well ladies and gents shall we begin?" They all had wicked grins, a few even snickering at what they were about to do. They nodded and Adler then turned his back to them, looking down the main street towards the black plague memorial.
He then opened his menu and selected an option Argo had never seen before. Adler bopped his head as if listening to a song, he repeated to press a button that looked like replay again and again. Then he started to stomp his feet in a rhythm beat, the drummers started to copy the beat at the same time. Adler started to march to the beat and started to sing." Buddy you're a boy make a big noise playin' in the street gonna be a big man some day! You got mud on your face yo' big disgrace, kicking your can all over the place. Signin'-" Then he and his musicians sang at the same time." We will we will rock you! We will we will rock you!"
This was getting the attention of the trapped players who were being woken up by the song or were already awake and being drawn to the music. The city was waking up to one of the most recognizable 'pump up' songs in the world. Even Argo had heard the song in her time in the real world. She admitted to herself as she joined a growing procession behind Adler, that the Golden Wolves had gone over the top up to ridicules levels in the liberation of Middenheim. Argo loved every moment of it.
/
Altdorf, The Reikland-Middenland border and Nuln
The Morning of December 7th
When Colonel Montgomery Tavington saw the enemy army he was surprised to see them south of Fort Schuler. He thought for sure they were going to dig in for a siege around the fort another mile up the road. Instead the Golden Wolves had set up a battery of 6 falcones and a mortar facing down at his army.
The battlefield he was presented with was grassy foot hills ringing around a gully, on the south side of the gully his army occupied the high ground while on the northern side the Golden Wolves and their allies had a somewhat lower hill they were camped on. The gully spanned only 600 yards at most but due to it being a hundred yards down at a steep angle, followed by it being steep on the way back up to the enemy lines, if Tavington made the attempt to charge at the Golden Wolves it would take maybe twice or three times the amount of time it would normally take for his men to cross the distance. With those light cannons it would be extremely hazardous for his players to do so even with the bots being the meat shields. If the players stayed on the hill and not mixed with their units then they could be easily run down if the enemy broke their soldiers.
The enemy consisted of an Middenheim/Beastman alliance. Ahead of him were thousands of beastmen and some Golden Wolves who provided specialist weapons and troops. They consisted of hand gunners and those damn cannons and hung back at the higher portion of the hill. The lower half of the hill and the gully were filled with beastmen, thousands of bots armed with everything from spears to paired close combat weapons. He knew that from conversations with Douglass, Fort Schulars commander, that there was at least another thousand beastmen bots and two more falcones aimed at the fort's walls to keep the garrison within the walls.
'Knowing Beastmen they have a few other ambushes planned' Tavington thought. He had had conversations with the table top gamers who joined WAO over the past few weeks about what the PLA could expect from their enemies. There were table top rules that had been transferred to the game, this was evident in the Empires detachment system and the Reiklanders ability to shoot better along with a better sense at controlling bots. From what understood the Beastmen were able to spring ambushes in the table top game and had the hatred characteristic against all humans in close combat, this allowed them to hit more often. There were rumors that the Middenlanders had a similar ability against players and bots with low leadership.
So he had to keep an eye out for any more of the beasties showing up in addition to fighting a battle up hill and under fire. His own forces consisted of 230 archers, 300 pistoliers and another 2,000 halberdiers. His force was built for speed to relieve the defenders of Fort Schuler and not to be the heavy fighting force that had to fight through defenders.
Tavington raised the spyglass to his eye as he sat upon his horse. He saw the defenders commanders, they were gathered at the top of the hill looking back at him. He could see that they were from all different cities and factions. There was the big guy in red cloak and armor similar to that the Altdorfians had, Tavington made a mental note that this was most likely Eugene who was one of the PLA's banes in Altdorf. The other humans were a young Asian Golden Wolf and another Asian, female this time, dressed in the garb of a Nulnate with a brace of double barreled pistols. The last of the commanders was a beastmen armed with a pair of axes who glared daggers at Tavington despite being 1,500 feet away.
Montgomery saw the beastman open his menu to send out a message and his human comrades talking to him. A few second's later Tavington heard a shout from one of his men." Sir, to the west!" Montgomery turned his head to the left and saw a large dust cloud start to form a mile away over the hills. Then he saw them, hundreds of beastmen centigors and dozens of player driven chariots crested a hill at their flank, but instead of charging they held back their attack in plain view of the two hundred PLA soldiers.
With a sudden start Tavington realized that even if he moved enough Halberdiers to counter a charge from the beastmen then he wouldn't be able to enough to break through the next two enemy lines to Fort Schuler. He opened his menu and typed a message to his superior in Altdorf.' We cannot relieve the siege on fort Schuler and are currently facing a pincer maneuver. I will bring the men back to Altdorf to regroup, I will need at least another three thousand men, spearmen, handgunners and artillery men ready to go when I arrive.'
Tavington sent the message and then called aloud to his sub commanders." Heinz, Markov, Hogan! I have orders." His men, Heinz the archer, Markov the Pistolier and Hogan the Halberdier commander rode up close to him." Yes boss?" Hogan asked.
"Hogan I need you to select enough of your men that can fight on the move, I need… around 750 bots to serve as the rear guard. The rest I want to have ready to march back to the south when I give the order. Markov you'll be just ahead of the rear guard, if the beastmen charge with their chairots and 4 legged friends then I want you and you men to counter charge them when they are about to get into melee with the halberdiers. Heinz I want you and your men to range ahead of the rest of us, if there is going to be any more ambushes I want to be the first to know. Now I wan-" Tavington's orders were interrupted when he received a message from Altdorf.
It read, 'Don't come back, North side of city taken over by rebels they have the heavy cannons. North east side also fallen. Southern side of city looking bad, islands remain untouched. Altdorf looks to be lost.' Tavington swore under his breath and tore his eyes away from the message. He then closed the PM and open his map, if he couldn't retreat to Altdorf he had to find another way… there. He found a way to retreat and his men to survive, it may not of been to Altdorf but it was to the strong hold of Averland… but not only his own men either could make the escape.
He closed the map and then opened his PM to type a message to his superior.' Find boats good sir, see about getting to castle Reikguard we'll meet you there in a day at most after that we'll see about escaping further to Nuln or Averland.' He sent the PM and closed his menu completely. Tavington then said to his commanders." Change of plans were not going to Altdorf. There's a bridge north of Gelrect that'll take us to safety across the Talbec for now."
/
With the last of the PLA soldiers in the South Eastern district thrown into guard station prison's, leaving behind well over half his men to look after them, Mortimer opened his message box as he stood in front of the temple of Shallya. He clicked through them reading each one which had been sent since the uprising began. Gars had control of the northern bank of the city as did Stern on the North Eastern bank. The entirety of the southern portion of the city was under the control of the rebels.
Outside of the city the garrison at Fort Schuler had surrender to Eugene. With them out of the way there was now a clear corridor that Altdorfans and Middenheimers could pass through without worry of PLA tolls. Mortimer did a quick check of his guilds treasury and was pleased to note the fact that with all the captured PLA players his people were able to amass thousands of gold pieces from their equipment and their own coin.
There was a another matter though that was quite disturbing. In addition to all the captured PLA there was still the matter of all those who had escaped. By his reckoning that included the response regiment of two hundred and the island garrisons, which had sailed up the Reik to the south. Some of Sterns troops were able to sink one of their ships with the wall's heavy cannons… but still that meant there was another hundred players left unaccounted for. The Altdorfians couldn't go after them now, not when there was the entire population of Altdorf to… guide.
To the word 'rule' was too strong of a word to use right now, especially after being under the occupation of the PLA for the past month. His guild would offer 'options' to the populace, such as open enrolment in a new guild he was co-running up called ' The Imperial Army' or to go free and wander the world on their own with limited resources which were bled dry over the past month under occupation. So they would have a choice, but his offer of helping them would be much better received and in effect he calculated that if he had even a few thousand players in his guild then he would in effect run the city of Altdorf.
Speaking of the co-heads of the Imperial Army reminded him to check up on them. He selected his brother and wrote a PM to him.' Good work bro', I'll be sending a garrison force to occupy Fort Schuler by tonight. Be sure that the Golden Wolves are the one's occupying the fort, till then we do not want our Beastmen allies to hold it down. We do not want them to get comfortable in our territory.' He sent out the message and then selected Steve.
Before Mortimer could type the first word a group of children ran bye, they were most likely orphans. Their parents having bought game for them, either not caring that the game was really rated AO or they had joined their child in the game but had been separated by some means, most likely the separation was fatal if it was the latter case. He overheard one of them saying to his friend." His name's Steve, he's one of Mortimer's General's. That's why he's giving a speech in front of the palace."
Mortimer looked at them as they ran to the western side of the city where the Imperial Palace was, he thought.' That isn't right; I didn't tell him to give any speeches till the city was secure… unless.' He then began running to the Imperial Palace, its gothic skyline towering above all the city save for the Grand Temple of Sigmar.
As he ran towards the building he started to hear the clamoring of the crowds as they gathered. As he turned a corner he saw that there were thousands of players gathered around a raised podium, with a pair of flags crossed behind him. The flags were of a red field with a black stylized griffen on them, the symbol of Altdorf. But that wasn't what caught his attention, up on the stage with a mega phone Steve was speaking to the crowds."- And in addition to the new clothes if you join the Imperial Army you'll also be able to get paid with no taxes taking away most of it! So I ask you again, what other job in the world will let you kick the ass of the PLA on a daily bases, where you also keep your loot and comes along with a bitchin' new uniform!"
Steve then raised his arms urging the crowd to speak. The sound was deafening, but even as Mortimer heard it his heart sank because someone else had stolen away his and his brothers victory." THE IMPERIAL ARMY!" He should have been the one giving the speech, he had even wrote the damn thing and had shared it with Eugene and Steve to get their opinion. Now some waiter had plagiarized him to take the credit of the liberation of Altdorf and beyond now with the creation of the Imperial Army… Mortimer hated to admit it but his respect for Steve had gone up a few pegs now that he had shown some ruthlessness and political suaveness.
He saw Steve then open his window game window and a moment later Mortimer saw Steve light up red, he was giving out a ping to find him. A moment later Steve then looked in Mortimer's direction and spoke into the megaphone." Hey Mortimer come on up here buddy! Everyone clear a path for Mort, he's one of the men responsible for you all being free right now." People were murmuring as they started to realize where the player was and a path opened up in front of him.
Mortimer was put on the spot and he couldn't turn back now even if he wanted to. He began walking down the path to the stage, as he did so Steve talked into the megaphone." Hey lets give this guy a big round of applause! He deserves it after today!" The crowd clapped and hollered, involuntarily Mortimer's step picked up speed as he ran to the stage.
Once Mortimer got to the stage's base and Steve lowered his hand to the guildmaster, helping him up onto the stage. They stood infront of the crowds arm in arm, Mortimer waving and smiling. Through gritted teeth Mortimer spoke to Steve in a tone of voice only they could hear." After today I will remember to get some extra back armor and sharpen some daggers." Steve then replied through his own smile, waving at the thousands of players that turned out to see their liberators." Likewise."
/
In Nuln there were no celebrations. There was no drinking, there was no cheering or singing. There was only the sound of gunfire within the cities walls.
When the uprising began an hour ago it was focused in the northern third of the city, in the Altestadt quarter and the high gate. The reasons why it was decided to be done in this part of the city was first because it was cut off from the rest of the city by a wall within the northern third of the city. After clearing the wall the rebels could hold the High Gate, stopping the PLA from entering or exiting the district. The second reason was because when the uprising began the rebels could quickly strip the unconscious PLA soldiers once they awoke and use their own firearms to arm the populace and sell what other equipment they had to equip more of the oppressed citizens with guns.
The uprising itself was extremely fast and brutal. In small groups the human rebels, along with their skaven allies, walked up to, ambushed in the alley ways or otherwise caught them in a compromising position and unloaded their pistols at their heads. In five minutes of fire and smoke over 200 PLA members were knocked out and removed as threats from Altestadt quarter. The skaven allied proceeded to tie up the PLA and remove them to the Undercity where they would no longer be safe from the protection the game laws gave them.
After that the rebels split up, one half would gather the players recently liberated players and the other half would prepare for the defense of the Altestadt from the PLA. The attack came just a few minutes later from the Nuestadt section of the city with two separate charges on the High Gate itself and at the North Western most tower of the high gate wall, which met at the main junction point of the main defensive wall. Both had around a hundred PLA attack at the same time. If the rebels had been armed with just single shot pistols then they would have been easily overrun.
But they were armed with double barreled pistols, each rebel carried a brace of the firearm. This gave them access to an almost insane, for this world's standard, amount of shots. When the PLA were little more than a few feet away from the resistance's Sappers hastily erected barriers, the rebels then jumped up from behind them and proceeded to unload all their pistol shots at point blank range at the PLA. If this had been real life half of those pistols would of failed to ignite and if they were fired then there was about a quarter chance of the bullet actually hitting its target not to mention aiming the damn thing would be a chore and a half…
The players though were in a video game. If the guns were well maintained then they may cause a flash in the pan or blow up, but otherwise they would fire if they were brand new like these pistols. The accuracy on the pistols were much more forgiving for the player shooting the pistol. combined with being able to aim with crosshairs. When the rebels began to fire at the PLA their charge was first slowed, by the players falling over their fallen comrades, then faltered when the pile had gotten to a point where the reinforcing players had to go around the falled PLA and then breaking when the last few ranks realized that with the streets and walls plugged up with wasn't going to stop with them. This happened in only thirty seconds but by the time it was over 140 and more of the PLA were knocked down and out, their survivors running back into the safety of the district. It was no wonder that the pistols were gaining the nickname 'Liberators'.
In another five minutes the first of the new recruits started to show up. They were armed with nothing more extravagant then a wheel lock harquebus and a banderole of wooden cartilages, but they proved to be very useful on helping to tie up the newly captured PLA. They also began serving as replacements as well, when the PLA counter attack first came there were a dozen PLA members that were shot but knocked out. Only a few were able to escape, but those that did had pressed 'yes' on being harassed thus sending city guards after 6 of the rebels who were brought to jail.
So the new recruits, despite having a much lower level and equipment that even a state trooper would scoff at, were proving their worth. Soon the High gate was filled with scores of the newly liberated players. When they reached over a hundred Thinker, who had been at the High Gate leading the defense, gave the order to advance to the water front.
The new recruits lead the way, being the ones usually sniped at from the retreating PLA. The new rebels unleashed uncoordinated volleys at the retreating PLA, a few bullets catching them and knocking a few down and an occasional player out. They were able to push the PLA to the water front and to the both the Great Bridge and the Glory Bridge. At 40 minutes into the liberation of Nuln it was stopped dead in its tracks by the barriers and swivel guns of the PLA. When they lanced out at the new recruits they fell by the dozens with the grape shot, the rebels then pulled back to gather their strength.
With the path to the bridges blocked Thinker opened his menu a safe distance away at the Imperial Gunnery School. He then wrote a single message to one team which had been kept in reserve.' Take Iron Tower within ten minutes.' Then he waited as more new recruits flowed into his growing army….
Under the bridge on Aver island, where the Reik met the river Aver, eight players read the message and they started to move under the bridge. Five of them were Skaven and three were humans. Seven of the players were male while the only female was a human player armed with not a brace of Liberators, but rather a Hochland Long Rifle which when propped up onto its butt was much taller than her.
The group of players started to move under the bridge, going into the water would have been dangerous with the currents of three different rivers meeting at one place. Instead the players had set up a rope underneath the Iron Bridge during the previous night leading to the Iron Tower, there were other ropes to the Glory and Reik bridges as well if they had been told to go to the other parts of the city. With their legs wrapped around the rope they pulled themselves under the bridge directly under the Iron Tower.
The Skaven leader carefully moved away from the rope and over to the side of the bridge. He lifted his eyes high enough over the side of the railings to see what was happening by the Iron Tower, after a few seconds of observing he ducked down below the bridge and signed to his fellow Skaven.' Two guards, one on each side of bridge. No guards on over side, group of five PLA re-enforcements coming. Shooter's (being the humans) go to tower. We drown guards."
Four of the skaven, including the leader moved up to the sides of the bridge, the remaining ratman explained what was going to happen to the humans. The humans themselves moved further along under the bridge and then onto the sides. The Skaven leader then took out a heavy piece of stone work, about thirty pounds worth of rubble, with a rope tied around it with a noose at the end. He set the stone behind the guard on the bridges fence when the re-enforcements passed bye along with another of his men.
He gave the single to his Skaven comrades and they moved. The leader placed the noose around the PLA man's neck as did his fellow skaven on other side of the bridge. Before the men could react two more Skaven pulled the men over the wall's railing. The men then fell into the water below with the heavy stone work coming right after them. They were dragged down to the depths of the river unable to breath. They may not be able to die via direct damage within their home city but there were other ways of killing players. When the person's breath meter ran out below the water then they would die.
The skaven and humans then climbed over the bridges railings and booked it to the Tower. The skaven were the first in and the humans soon followed. Once the humans were inside they turned around and closed the door to the tower, bracing it with chairs and tables. The skaven then lead the way up the metal stair case of the steel tower, stopping only when they reached the top. One of the skaven slowed down as he reached the top, he then peered through an open door way as he heard voices on the other side.
He ducked back in and spoke in hushed tones." 3 PLA officers, two soldiers. Talking about getting ready for an attack at the Gunnery School."
The humans stepped forward, the two pistol armed rebels." We'll take care of it." One of the two spoke. The human girl stayed back and unslung her long rifle silently, when the shooting started she needed to start sniping some PLA down below.
The Skaven leader nodded to his subordinate to let the humans do their thing. He stepped out of the door way so they could move up, their pistols out. The second human placed a palm on the first's shoulder and the first said a moment later." I take right you take left. Go!"
The pair of pistol packing rebels bolted through the doorway. The PLA officers and their guards turned to the disturbance. The resistance members then started to unload their pistols at the PLA heads. In a flurry of shots the PLA didn't know they were under attack before they were knocked out. One of them pitched over backwards over the towers railing to the ground a hundred feet below, the result was messy but he was still alive… just out of the game as his organs regenerated.
"Sinon, me and Dalton will man the cannon's. You take care of the gun crews at the Glory Bridge." Cassidy, formally the lead shooter on the clearing, said to the little sniper. Sinon, who was dressed in an black military style tunic and knee length black skirt, rested her sniper rifle on the northern portion of the round towers railing." Roger. Squeakori message back to Thinker we have the tower and are going to hold it as long as possible."
Sinon sighted down her scope, making adjustments for the wind and elevation, before settling her crosshairs onto a target. The target she was aiming at was an officer or a sergeant on the Glory Bridge, she could tell from the better uniform with its checkered shoulder pads to the fact that he was waving his arms pointing from a subordinate to the barricade. At the back of her mind, Sinon wondered why it seemed that since the rifling was invented that leaders would always make the same mistake again and again of making themselves an target to the enemy…. She cocked the flintlock and then laid her crosshairs on his head, with a release of breath she squeezed the trigger. A split second later the musket cracked with the high quality gun powder igniting, propelling the bullet down the rifled grooves of the handgun. Sinon saw the bullet's vapor trail from her scope and then the PLA officer falling over from the bullet to the head 300 yards away.
She had to thank Thinker again after this was over, when she wanted to invest her money into the Long Rifle than a brace of Liberators she had shown him her skill with the handgun. That consisted of shooting a bottle out from a PLA soldier's hand at a hundred yards. When he saw that he told her to get the rifle and also told that he had a special mission for her… so here she was.
Back at the Gunnery School, Thinker received the messaged from Squeakori. He then stood and waved at his troops to get their attention." Listen up!" He ordered, getting the attention of both his vets and the new recruits.
" I want all the new recruits to gather to me. Sundance will gather up the vets and more recruits between now and in the next ten minutes. When those ten minutes are up Sundance will lead an attack on the Great Bridge. Recruits, were going to take the Glory Bridge!" He lifted his fist into the air as he started to walk to the Glory Bridge. There was a roar of approval from the newbs as they joined him in his march.
When the army of newbs were a hundred yards from the Glory Bridge they found that the PLA were taking shelter behind the barriers on the northside of the bridge. They were taking cover from the cannons and sniper rounds from the Iron Tower. Thinker stopped his small army and said." Fire!" The players then stopped and started to fire their handguns, not all at once but more or less at the same time when he gave the order. The rounds lanced out and started to strike the PLA soldiers, eventually enough hit the cowering soldiers that they were knocked out or hit.
"Move up to the barrier and reload. If you have rope tie up the PLA on the ground." He walked up to the barrier and watched the Iron Tower. His specialist team was doing an amazing job at wrecking the PLA defenses and their leadership on both the Glory Bridge and the Great Bridge. Sundance would have an easy time capturing the Great Bridge….
Then he received an urgent message from one of his contacts in Altdorf. It said that Altdorf had been liberated and that the remaining free PLA were on the run. The problem being that the running PLA were hundreds of players and thousands of bots strong and they were moving to the south.
Thinker thought about what this meant. He had around a hundred 'vet' players in his ranks as well as a few hundred more newbs. The vets could go toe to toe with the PLA and the newbs were admittedly a step above the State Troops. But the PLA outnumbered his force by the thousands in sheer numbers of bots, they could over run his forces easily. Even if they were able to take the whole city today then that would mean their forces would be stretched to the limit looking after the prisoners. If they could dispose of the prisoners then the rebels might have a chance of manning the guns of Nuln and turning back the PLA. But that would be impossible since only the northerners had the resources to hold that many players and there was no way they were going to be transported up north with an army coming south. If he turned them loose then they could just join up with Averland and steam roll the entire rebellion or take back Nuln in a day.
That left one option… but did he really want to take that step? Did he really want to become a monster just so that thousands more people had a better chance of surviving this death game? Most of the PLA members were like any other player as well, they wanted to escape the game they had just chosen to follow the wrong ideology. Then there was their leader who were as ruthless as any other despot in history. They had killed and robbed any and all who opposed them and had killed dozens of Thinker's men and hundreds of other players just in the Empire alone... then there was the horror show called the night of the long horns.
The question of that last, horrible and terrible, option was no longer and 'if' but a matter of when. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply, keeping his tears from forming. How had it come to this, how could he go from the owner of a MMO site to now a leader of thousands of players and murderer of hundreds.
He opened his eyes and wiped the corners of his eyes. He had a job to do, there was more of the city to liberate, when he came to the final decision he would make it. Till then he had a city to take.
" Ten of you stay behind to watch over the prisoners. The rest follow me, were going to Aver Island!" He then strode forward, his people following him.
In Nuln there were no celebrations. There was no drinking, there was no cheering or singing. There was only the sound of gunfire within the cities walls.
/
Middenheim City of the White Wolf
Mid-Morning of December 7th 2022
Adler met with the commander of the PLA in Middenheim, the man was standing with his hands tied behind his back on top of the East Gate. Commander Keith was stripped of his armor and weapons, leaving him in just his base clothing with which he started the game, shivering in the cold or fear because of it. Adler's guildmates, the ones he had kept in reserve on the eastern side of Middenheim in the forests just in case any of the PLA had decided to run while the main push of guildmates had made their way from the west, had caught Keith running alone from the city. He understood that the city was under attack from the Golden Wolves when the West Gate had fallen so he ran.
If the commander had decided to order a general retreat from Middenheim or rallied the PLA to take on the Golden Wolves there was a good chance that Adler would be in his position or the Golden Wolves would be chasing after him in Middenland along with the remains of the PLA. Instead he had given the order for his players to stay and defend the remaining gates while he made his escape. That was he attempted escape. The Golden Wolves were able to spot him escaping on horseback as he galloped down the highway and intercepted him with their own riders when he reached the bottom of the road way.
When the PLA at the East Gate saw him get captured, who were already demoralized from seeing him run, they knew that there wasn't any hope left for them. They surrendered to the Golden Wolves without a fight, as did the other two gate houses when they learned about the East Gate's actions. Now they were gathered up behind the East Gate on the street below, bound but willing prisoners, who were separated from the throngs of formally trapped players. Of the latter group there were a few score that left to explore the game world on their own, but most stayed behind when there was an opportunity to hear from the leader of their liberators, Adler.
As it was he needed to tend to one last piece of business before addressing the crowds and that was to the leader of the Middenheim PLA. Adler smiled and put his hands on the man's shoulders." Hey don't be so scared, its not like I'm going to hurt you."
Whatever the commander was expecting Adler to say, that was not it."W-what?" He asked, disbelief in his voice as he looked into Adlers eyes.
Adler smiled happily, his eyes seemingly mimicking the action." I said I won't harm you. Why would I? I mean I have no reason to after all. Our little rivalry was more of a difference of opinion that had gotten out of hand. I think you have more reason to be angry with me since I may of shot you back when I escaped. In-fact…." He then snapped his fingers and one of his men used a knife to cut the ropes binding the commander's hands." You're not a threat to me."
The commander's eyes filled with hope, moving his hands to the side then cracking his wrists." So am I free to go?" He asked.
Adler smiled and turned around, he then began walking to the stairs as he spoke." That is totally up to the people who do have a grudge with you." The commander was then grabbed by his arms from a pair of Golden Wolves, a teenage Chinese girl and a middle aged man Indian.
Then Pavlov walked in front of him with a wicked smirk on his face." You don't know me, you don't know my brother also. You will never get to meet my older brother. We were separated on the first day and weren't able to meet up when I escaped. He tried to lead a group of players out on the third day, but you ordered the PLA to fire as they went down the highway. He died from a bullet to the back."
The commander's face then blanched at the story. Pavlov then pulled back a fist and delivered a bow to the commander's chest, knocking the wind out of him and if it wasn't for the two players holding him up he would of fallen. The Indian man then said with malice." You ordered your men to chase after my group, they killed my son. I saw his throat slit when he tried to surrender." The Chinese girl spoke with venom in her voice." My brother was with me when we getting ready to escape this city. Your men found him buying horses and once they took his money threw him off the walls."
Pavlov was handed a noose from another player atop the gate house." You are not free to go. But you will not live another minute in this city." The commander then tried to struggle against the players, the harassment menu appearing before him but unable to press it. Pavlov then tied the noose around the man's neck.
"I'll see you in hell." Pavlov spoke, the two players letting go of the former commander. The Russian teen then kicked him off the gate house to the walls outside of the city.
Adler stood on the inside of the city, on the street leading to the gate. He watched as the commander's body fell down outside the city walls then jerk suddenly as it was stopped by the rope. His neck didn't break, which was a shame since that would leave him to strangle to death as the noose tighten around his windpipe. The harassment menu was gone since he was outside of the city walls. The commander gripped the noose trying to allow himself away to breath but failed. His legs kicked as his HP ticked away, his eyes bulging out as well. Then the last of his HP was gone and his body stopped moving as he died.
Adler turned away from the body, the crowds cheering at the execution of their warden. The surviving PLA forced to watch though were silent or shivered in fear for they knew that they may be the next victims of the Golden Wolves. He walked on the street with his freed people yelling encouragements and thank you's as he made his way to the city center. He continued past them, not waving or turning to them, only with his right hand resting on his hammer's head on his right hip.
Argo watched from amongst the crowd, a hooded figure blending in with thousands of others. She watched Adler make his way to the park at the center of the city, where a stage was set up so he could deliver his speech to cap off today's events. It was a giant, horrible, terrific, show but still the most entertaining venue that the players had experienced so far in their new lives in the OId World.
Adler walked through the crowds to the Great Park where Jack was keeping the crowd's interest up. At Jacks orders, when Adler was nearing the stand, a the Golden Wolves few bag pipers began playing Scotland the Brave. Of course with a small tweaking that song would become 'Middenland the Brave'.
Adler walked up the stairs to the top of the stand, he looked out to the crowd as the song ended. The crowd grew silent as they waited for him to start his speech." December 7th 2022, a date which will live in our memory's for all our days to come." Adler spoke loudly and clearly to the freed people of Middenheim." It is a date which will be meaningless to the people in the real world. It is just another day to them while you, their friends and family are trapped in this madman's world. But to you though, to you, this date will be remembered for something much greater. In the future you will remember this day as the first real day of freedom to explore and to survive in the old world. Today you will remember it as your first step to truly escaping this hell. Today you are the heroes of your own story!"
He raised his hands up to them and the crowd cheered, almost deafeningly loud as over 12,000 players cheered at the warlord's words. Adler allowed himself to enjoy the moment of feeling like a boss, just a little. After a few moments he then pressed his left hand to his waist and lifted up his right to silence the crowd. This took a little longer then he expected but the crowd became silent once more." But you may ask who will become your story teller? Who will guide the heroes on their quest? It has to be someone who has proven to be a good leader, one who's ability to has been tested again and again. Someone who can take on the responsibiltys and hardships on helping the heroes escape. Ladies and gentlemen that man is right in front of you on this stage this morning and his name is…."
What Adler did next shocked Argo and thousands of other players into silence. He hopped next to Jack and wrapped and his right arm around his shoulder." Jack!"
The purposed leader of the Middenheimer's looked absolutely ashen. Jack's expression sold it that he had no way of expecting such a tribute. Who would of thought that Adler would give up such an opportunity to become a dictator to his second in command besides Jack?
Adler continued on after a few seconds of crickets chirping." I've thought long and hard about this decision. You don't need me or the Golden Wolves any longer. We've served our purpose of being warriors for your freedom. But now that you have gained it you need someone to lead you in the days to come. The time of small armies fighting each other are coming to a close, one day soon, maybe not tomorrow or the month afterwards, but one day armies million strong will march through the Empire. They will fight to either destroy it or to save it, but when that time comes then you will need to look to someone who can be your true leader and survive the chains of command. So to that I purpose Jack as your leader, as your general and most of all as your count!"
That got a round of applause and a few cheers, but nothing as loud as Adler was speaking on his own accord. Adler himself let go of Jack and then walked to the edge of the stage, he had a wide smile on his face as he opened his menu, speaking as he did so." Today I also will disband the Golden Wolves, but before that I will give all you players a parting gift." He then pressed a few buttons, open sacks full of silver coins then appeared on the stage. Golden Wolves then marched up behind each of the stacks and moved them to each side of the stand. The crowd began to crowd in around the stage, to which Adler gave a smirk." Here is the remaining treasury of the Golden Wolves to you fair players."
After a pause he continued." Be sure to stick around, Jack has some important announcements to make." He then gave a nod to his soon to be ex Golden Wolves money handlers, a moment before he pressed a button on his menu. At the same time as the ex-Golden Wolves began to throw the money from the bags of Silver, the symbol below their health bar which showed they belonged to a guild blinked out of existence. The crowd surged forward at the money and most didn't hear Adler's final words." The Golden Wolves are disbanded. May Sigmar and Ulric protect you!"
With that Adler turned around to leave the stage, at the stairs he took out a long brown coat from his inventory and put it on before leaping over the mob gathered at the base of the stage. He disappeared into the crowds. It would have been next to impossible for a normal player to track him with the press of bodies. But there was one who was determined to.
Argo kept her eyes on Adler from a distance, following him through the crowd. It wasn't out of spite or that she was stalking him, but rather it was a thirst for knowledge that drove her to follow him. It was hard, even with her skills, but she could still spot him in the crowd since he was making his way out of it. After more than a few minutes of fighting his way out Adler was free from the crowd and making his way to the south west of the city, Argo following him along the roof tops.
She followed him to a tavern in the South Western most corner of the city named 'The Drowned Rat', despite the slight tic she had from the name she wondered why he would to this place. Argo messaged her scouts telling them that she wasn't going to be available for a while, she didn't give the reason though, that would be giving to much info away.
Argo climbed down to the street and entered the tavern. It was a seedy establishment, dark and musky with a few unpleasant smells filling her nostrils. But the bar was well lit and that was where Adler was sitting. She over heard him talking to the NPC bartender." –And make sure it's Dwarfen Ale, the good stuff that most people can't afford."
Argo slipped into the seat next to him, pulling her hood down." I'll have what he's having." Adler did a double take when he saw Argo.
"How did you… I thought-" Argo gave a giggle to his expression and said." I am the Rat, if you need to find out what sort of tea President Darca drinks, I would answer with 'at what time of day'?"
Adler then got it and turned away to the mirror in front of him, saying under his breath." Sea turtles." The obscure Disney reference was lost on Argo.
Adler then asked as his stein of dwarfen ale was place before him, a moment later one tankard for Argo." So as to what pleasure does a former guild master host the Old Worlds foremost authority in info brokering?" He lifted the tankard to his lips.
"Oh I just want to learn a little more about your decision to disband the Golden Wolves and give up the opportunity of a life time ruling a city." Argo stated, to which Adler coughed up some of his beer into stein. He wiped the foam from his mustached upper lip.
Adler looked around to be sure there weren't any other players hiding in the shadows before answering." I like you Argo, you really helped so much that this revolution wouldn't be possible without you. But if I do answer me please, please, and for the third time please, do not share what I'm going to tell you today. I mean it personally."
Argo could hear him begging in his voice. She was sometimes cruel to her clients and her enemies yes, but hearing the older man actually beg that she keep some his secrets… she was moved to make an exception for once." I promise that I won't let anyone else besides us know what we talked about today."
Adler stared down at her trying to read her expression under her fur, after a moment he looked down at his stein." I left for… a few reasons." He took a sip from his stein to steady himself for the incoming questions.
Argo heard the answer, but it wasn't the one she was looking for." And what were they?" She took a gulp of the ale, which was many times better than the other beers she had drunk in this world.
"Well the first reason is that I'm rather horrible at leading large groups of people… and armies." Argo looked at Adler with a look that read 'Oh really?' Adler sighed and continued on." I said I'm not good at leading large groups, I seem to be good at around twenty people and at most fifty. The main leadership for the Golden Wolves I left to Jack, I've been their figure head and front line leader hack slash badass. But even I died they still would have been fine with Jack in charge. That's why we talked it over and I set it up so he can lead Middenheim's Imperial Army and maybe become its count."
"I haven't heard of you leading armies of bots around, so how do you know that you're not cut out to be a 'count'?" Argo asked him taking a light sip of the ale, not wanting to get drunk so soon into the conversation.
Adler gave a little chuckle." I've played Warhammer Total War and the table top game enough that I'm not cut out to be a real general. The only campaigns I won in the Total War games were on easy and after playing a couple hundred warhammer fantasy games I won only twenty at most. I can study all the history I want, learn all the tactics and talk smack about running the other guy into the ground… but my own ability really sucks when it comes to applying that knowledge. I'm actually surprised that I'm good at fighting especially when it comes to other players…." Adler's humor left his voice and he downed half the contents of his stein.
Argo realized that Adler had hit a sensitive area in his own emotions. Adler then spoke, his tone much more grim." I… I never wanted to live in this world. I had always wanted to visit or write fan fics about me dropping in the old world to introduce more modern weapons and 'saving the world'. But to live here I never wanted to do that, it was too dark and the chances of me living more than a week were grim. When the game was announced I thought that I could visit this world and be safe to return home."
Tears rolled down Alders cheeks and into his ale, he was taking in a deep breath. Argo watched this, her expression being that of concern for the big guy." Oh Adler." She said before he continued to speak.
Adler bent over the bar crying harder." Then that god damn fucking mad genius Kayaba makes it so we can't leave this twisted game and were able to kill each other. He made this world real! A real as it will ever be. He made It so people have to be afraid in a game, that's how you can tell If your living if you have fear. He made us into living digital creatures. No he made us digital monsters." He cried openly his hands on the back of head as he rested it against the bar.
Argo wrapped an arm around Adler. She had her own breakdown a while back, every player did when they realized what a crappy situation they were in. Adler was lucky though, he didn't have to go through this part alone unlike a lot of other players had to, including her.
Adler then spoke after a few minutes of crying, his tears slowing but not yet stopping." T-thank you…. It's time I tell you the last reason why I'm leaving Middenland."
Argo asked." Are you sure? We can stop if you like?"
Adler shook his head." No. If you wanted to hear the reasons then I'll share them, it wouldn't be fair to you after your promise." He took a deep breath and spoke clearly without the breathing irregularities when he cried." I was tempted to stay though. Any man would be. I could stay and become a king in all but name, I could raise entire armies, fight in huge wars against daemons all the while having heavy metal music playing in my head. But the reason why I gave it up, why I'm not going to become a barbarian warlord is because if I do that I'll forget who I am."
Argo was taken aback by that. Was he really saying this, that he might forget who he was. That was hard to do even for the players that really Role Played they would say things in keeping with the real world and there were constant reminders that they were in a game. She voiced her concerns." But that's impossible right? How can you forget who you are, especially since you realized that you 'could' loose yourself."
Adler grunted." When a person starts a job, they take on the role as that job dictates… no that's no good of an analogy. When a person starts high school there are cliques that they are eventually forced to join. They may have some traits that the clique has and they think don't even fit in with the clique at first. But as the months go bye they assume more and more of their cliques traits till eventually they consider themselves part of that group. It's gone through a lot of names, but it boils down to Becoming the Mask."
Argo now understood what he was getting at, it was disturbing to say the least… it was also something she had become in the real world. Back there, besides school, she would shut herself into her room and collect information. When she was a few years younger she thought it was just a little past time, then she began to understand that the people who did that were called Otaku, to Hikomori to Neets. As she grew older she became more and more like them till she became one of them. Those skills had come in handy, especially when it came to creating her own guild of like minded nerds, the Political leanings came later with the PLA camping in the very exploitable Empire an- Argo was losing herself like Adler was afraid he would she realized with a start.
Argo watched as Adler sat up straight and heard him speak." My name is Rufus Adam Adler. I am 28 years old and I'm an office worker. I am from Stark county New Hampshire and I was a re-enactor. I am a wargamer who is also a cat person and a nerd who knows dwarfish. My family cares about me and I care about my gaming buddies trapped in this world. I promise to Sigmar that I will never forget who I am and survive this game with as many other players as possible." He turned to Argo and smiled." If I keep on reminding myself that, I will stay who I am and not become a monster."
Argo then lifted her tankard." Here's to surviving then." Adler clinked his stein against her tankard and the pair drowned the last of their ale. Argo then shouted." More ale!"
/
Averland-Averheim
Evening of December 7th
President Draca, the self-appointed leader of the PLA, had seemingly shrunk into his chair at the head of the table. He, along with his inner circle of PLA members, were within the dining room of a mansion within the confines of Averheim. Tonight though it was serving as a meeting place instead of entertainment, there was already too much on their plate to heap on anything else.
It was hard to believe that yesterday the men in this room were pre celebrating the coming speech that their leader and his commanders would deliver on the 8th. They thought that with the announcement of the PLA allowing parolees into their ranks would make them so powerful that the rebels wouldn't stand a chance if they acted. But they struck so suddenly and devastatingly that now three cities, three whole cities with a combined total over 30,000 people had been lost to them. The PLA still had the largest organized army in the empire, over 3,000 players in Averheim alone. But they also had to contend with nearly a thousand rebels and thousands of angry beastmen, most of whom were behind well prepared defenses at the walls of these cities. The PLA could take one or two of them outright, but the cost would be horrendous in terms of players.
They had even dispatched a regiment of mounted 'knight-initiate' players, two hundred of them to Nuln to see about taking the city back. They met up with the remaining 500 Nuln PLA only an hour ago after riding all morning, it looked like the city would be back into the PLA grasp the next day… till the executions began. A single rebel under the banner of truce walked out to meet with the leaders of the PLA, they thought he was going to surrender the city, they were wrong.
He said that unless the PLA left and stayed at least twenty miles away then the rebels would start hanging their prisoners, 50 people per hour until they did so. The commanders called the bluff, then the rebel signaled to his comrades on the wall. 50 men, women and children fell from the wall with nooses around their neck, most of the time their necks snapped but a few were strangled from the rope. Seeing the rebels that serious and hardcore, the PLA commanders decided to leave Nuln, not wanting to see any more of their comrades get hanged.
The only person not in the room looking like he was next to the executioners block was the one man who was not a self-appointed representative of the people of the PLA. His name was Kibaou and he was angry. Up till now Kibaou had seemed like the mad man in the room, having been raving against Beta's and helping to organize the Night of the Long Horns. But he also opposed many of the council's and presidents plans. He had wanted to use the Averheim PLA to hunt down the rebels in the other cities, but it was put down that it would be too dangerous for the players involves. When his friend Diabel was sent to destroy the Rebels meeting in Middenheim, he had insisted that he be sent along also with his own regiment. But it was deemed that the forces Diabel had were sufficient, especially with their Skaven allies and no additional lives were to be wasted. Then he had fumed that the speech wasn't given on the 6th since it would of marked the one month anniversary of the players trapped in the world. But it was decided to hold off on it so that the commanders could practice their lines.
Now he was proven correct in his objections. Objections that he had shared with the people of Averheim, his base. His words and actions, along with Diabels, had driven the council to give him a seat of power amongst them. Kibaou's full title was 'General of the Aver Army', the other council members had given him title since they thought it would be meaningless because the war's to come would be far away from Averland. But now it was on their door step and in effect Kibaou's position was now the strongest out of all the other men in the room.
"You are a bunch of pussy's! What the hell are you doing here still, we should be out there getting our army ready not here! Get up damn you!" Kibaou stood slamming his fist onto the table as he urged the other council members to action.
President Draca just stared ahead blankly. Two of his oldest friends, since college, were out of contact with him. One of whom was dead in Altdorf while there was no word from Keith in Middenheim. His remaining friend had escaped Nuln and was making his way back to Averland with the remains of his forces.
This wasn't what he wanted to happen when he put on the Nerve Gear. He thought that he and his buddies could do great and awesome things while in this game world. When Kayaba made his announcement that the players were now trapped in the old world and he and his friends were dropped into their respective home cities Draca thought that they could do great things. He remembered their time as protesters over a decade ago, they were so close to changing the world but no one would listen to them. Now that a situation had presented it self where the collectors could give up their money then the players would be better equipped to destroy the temple of Sigmar. Sure they had to commit evil acts but eventually that wouldn't matter since they would be able to escape the game. Yes there was violence but that was because people refused to give up their property for the good of all the players. Even keeping the players in the cities were for their own good because the PLA were best prepared to take on the world. Why couldn't more players see that their best chance of survival was to listen to him and his people? The Night of the Long Horns was meant to give breathing room for the PLA to hunt the forests around the cities exclusively, if that meant killing a few thousand players who could attack them then all the better since the remaining few would be thankful to their eventual rescuers.
But now freedom seemed impossible because of madmen who just wanted to keep their money and dictate to the players how things were going to happen. It disgusted him to no end and Kibaou's ramblings were not helping any bit of his mood." Shut up cactus head." Draca finally said to stop the Jap from flapping his yap. He needless to say he detested Kibaou.
Kibaou stopped talking at last, but he didn't sit down." What did you just say?" Kibaou asked.
Draca snorted and answered him." I said shut up cactus head, the war is over. We're never getting out of this game and no amount of yelling will help you. So sit down and shut up" Draca decided that should put the firebrand into place. He would give a speech tomorrow declaring that for now on the PLA will work with the rebels to escape the game, with the rebels in charge. Who knew they may of let him live to antagonize them another day when it came time for them to choose leaders.
The effect the insult had on Kibaou was not what Draca thought it would have. Kibaou grew angrier instead of quieting down, his hands gripping the edge of the table hard enough that the 'immortal object' screen appeared." How dare you! I've been the one telling you what to do and you won't listen to anyone but your own damn self. You know what you mother fucker, I say that you can go to hell because I'm going to destroy the Temple of Sigmar."
Draca laughed at him, right in Kibaous face." You and what army?"
Kibaou opened his menu and typed out a quick message. He then spoke to the assembled council members, the leaders of the PLA." This army."
The mansion's diner door's burst open and a uniformed PLA colonel walked in, thirty other soldiers followed afterwards." By orders of the General of the Aver Kibaou, I place all of you under arrest for treason against the PLA."
As the room filled with soldiers Draca, who's depression dissipeared the moment the room began to fill." Colonel Kirk what is the meaning of this?" Two soldiers gripped his arms, stopping him from moving.
Kibaou chuckled." It's called a management change. I also call it revenge for sending my buddy to his death." He told the former president.
Before Draca could respond Kirk spoke." I would strongly suggest sir that if you want to live till morning that you shut up." Draca's mouth closed and he became slack in the men's arm.
"What do you want?" He asked his voice filled with defeat.
Kibaou smiled wickedly." Surrender all your gear, money and titles. That goes for the rest of you as well."
One by one each of the council members surrendered their money, their wargear, items and even titles to Kibaou. He became the head of the PLA guild in Averheim and president of the organization all in one swoop. When it was over Kibabou spoke to them." Now I hope you like the jails because that's where your going to be spending the rest of the night in one. Take them away." He ordered the soldiers who did his bidding dragging the council members away.
Kibaou then spoke to Kirk." Thank you for your support. Here's my end of the bargain." He then opened his menu and then promoted the colonel to 'Treasurer of the PLA'. The former colonel smirked, he now had access to thousands upon thousands of gold pieces at his disposal to spend anywhere he wanted." Thank you mister president. What about the other PLA folks, the Nulnates and Altdorfians?"
Kibaou told him his plan." I'll tell them what I'll tell the rest of Averheim tomorrow. They tried to negotiate with the rebels under the city but were betrayed by a beta tester in their group. Clan Freaka is willing to make it look like Argo's Skaven were responsible. After they are dealt with I'm going to have the orders go out that all PLA start level grinding with evil quests and stay in the eastern half of the Empire. If the other city guilds decide that they don't want to join us then I'll tell them to try their chances with the rebels and see how well that goes."
"So where do I set the council up for the ambush?" Kirked asked. Kibaou opened his menu and marked a location on a map.
"Be sure to have them there no later than 2 AM." Kibaou told him. Kirk nodded and went to join his soldiers leaving Kibaou alone in the mansion.
The red headed president then left his new mansion to wander the streets of Averheim, to find somewhere to get a good drink. Kibaou was on top of the world right now. He had the power of life and death, had control over an army thousands strong and ruled an entire city. All of this happening in one night. He felt a hardness growing in his pants as he skipped along the road. His mind turning from a drink to finding some warm company, he would have been happy with a digital whore… then he saw her.
She was sitting on the side of the street by a soup kitchen, getting her spot ready for the next day when it would open for the next day of feeding the people of Averheim. She was around 12 years old and a real cutie with her hair in twin tails. She wore a yellow starter shirt and a black knee length skirt. Kibaou walked up to her, not showing his lust outwardly of course that would scare her off and asked." Hey what's your name kiddo?"
She looked at him, looking him over for a moment appraising him, then it clicked that she was looking at Kibaou General of the Aver." Oh um, my name is Silica mister Kibaou."
He then smiled." Well little miss Silica if you want I have some food that you might want, over at the Presidents Mansion…."
/
Middenheim-City of the White Wolf
The Morning of December 8th
When Adler awoke he found himself to be naked under the sheets of one of the Drowned Rat's beds. After waking up to a splitting headache and taking a moment to remember where he was, he sat on the side of the bed and ran his hands down his face figuring out what had happen the night before. He could remember drinking with Argo, singing some drunken songs with her….
He tried to think more and the memories came back. Then he and Argo were laughing and then she was leading him up stairs. He remembered that they were on the bed making out, then her furry hand reaching into his pants and him having turn off the harassment window….
"Oh shite." He said with a sigh and turned around to his bed, where a slim figure was underneath the blankets. He pulled the sheets down to reveal a naked, thankfully sleeping, Argo.
The memory's came back to him of last night's escapades, which he found actually to be pleasant and a bit disturbing. After all 30 may have been the new 20, but he would have a hard time convincing a judge that 16 was the new 18. Though he did enjoy it while it lasted… very much unlike the last time 11 years back when he was still a teenager.
Adler turned away from the young rat woman and then opened up his menu. He decided that now would be a good time to beat a retreat before she awoken and this got more awkward than it already was. He opened his menu, a pair of knee high leather riding boots materializing onto his feet, followed by a pair of brown woolen trousers.
Adler's finger hovered the next item when he felt a pair of slim furry arms wrap around him." And where do you think you're going without saying bye?" Argo asked, her head resting on his right shoulder.
Adler closed the window and spoke to her." I didn't want to wake up such a cute little rat. I hear they bite if you do suddenly."
Argo then gave a giggle and said playfully." Like this?" Then bit his right ear.
Adler didn't want to say it aloud but he wished it was just like that. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply before saying." I need to go eventually Argo, I'm sorry but it has to happen."
Argo didn't sound disappointed when he had said that, like she was expecting him to do so. Instead when she spoke she told Adler." I know that. But still, you don't need to leave right now do you? After all I want to learn about how you did that thing with my tail"
After hearing her speak, Adler smiled to himself." To your second question, you've clearly not seen as much furry porn as I have." He then twisted his body to wrap his right arm around the rat girl's waist." And to your first question, no I don't have a reason." He then kissed her and the two fell back onto the bed.
/
A few hours later….
Adler finally emerged from the tavern fully clothed, covering the many scratches he had received in the bed room… his MP bar nearly drained from the 'moves' he performed over the past few hours. He was dressed in his light brown trousers and leather knee high boots. But he also wore an orange peasant shirt under a green vest with silver buttons and a long brown duster over that. Crowning his head was a broad brimmed hat, which looked a little like Indiana's just died green. His brace of pistols were holstered at his waist along with his warhammer in it's ring-frog.
He looked back at the inn. After a few more hours of 'fun' Argo and Adler had finally parted company when he pulled himself away after the 11th round. They had said their good byes after making it straight that their fling was a one night stand. He had given enough money to Argo for her to cover the bed and the bath she was taking right now, reading up on her messages at the same time.
Adler then walked away to the north, to the West Gate. As he walked he thought about the one reason, the truly selfish reason, why he was leaving the Golden Wolves and Middenland behind. It was both the facts that there was someone better to do the job and that he feared as to what he would become if he stayed and one more.
From the moment he was dropped into Middenheim he could not do the one thing he had wanted to do when he had put on the Nerve Gear. In between surviving the attacks of other players and 'leading' thousands of people to freedom he had experienced it when he was level grinding in the forests of Middenland, if only for a few moments. With his responsibilities to Middenland gone he was now free to explore the world, the terrible, horrifying world, that he loved so much.
Adler could now travel beyond the forests borders and go places he had only read about. He could go on quests, slay monsters and get lots of loot without worrying about other people's lives. It was so refreshing not giving a hammy or Narm filled speech almost every other day.
He entered a stables by the West Gate and talked to the NPC merchant. Adler was shown their stock of horses and selected an Arabian three quarters mix. It was a well-built mare with a black coat of fur and powerful muscles underneath her skin. The asking price was 100 Gold Crowns, which he bartered down to 75. He then bought the horse and then after taking her into the street climbed into the saddle, happy with his purchase.
He could afford it after all, around 4,000 gold pieces was in his inventory. Basically a parting gift he had taken from the Golden Wolves as a bit of back pay for his leading them. The silver he had spread around Middenheim the day before was the money made from the sale of the PLA equipment. It was so easy to cover up the transfer of funds, especially in front of all those thousands of people and his former brothers in arms.
Adler trotted his horse up to the unguarded Westgate. Nobody was around save for a few players that were planning on leaving the city and discussing their plans. The rest of the city and the former Golden Wolves were most likely in the park. Jack would be in full swing getting the Imperial Army setting up and organizing the hunting groups so the players could start leveling up. He rode past the players with a tip of his hat and onto the highway leading down into the Dark Wald.
After reaching the forested road below he was stopped not by a player, but by a massive wolf. The gigantic creature, the size of the wolf he rode a few days before, was sitting in the middle of the road almost as if it was awaiting Adler. Adler came to a stop a few yards short of the wolf. The monster glared at Adler, almost as if it dared him to fight or to run away. Adler though stood his ground and his eyes met the wolves, it was odd how quickly he had lost his aversion to looking at people in the eyes so quickly.
Adler broke the silence by speaking to the giant white wolf." Doe's Ulric really want one of his wolves to become a chained dog?" The monster continued to stare for a moment longer, then it got onto all fours and walked away into the forest. Adler then put the horse into a trot, past the site of encounter.
Now Adler could start a new life. He was thinking of Hochland since the description reminded himself of home… and then there was the matter of his future profession… most likely a Witch Hunter… yes defiantly a Witch Hunter.
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A/N: So grey and black enough for folks? Well things are going to get worse for our 'heroes'. Alright time for the Omake… oh wait, scratch that I'm going to hold it hostage! When I get to a secret number of reviews I will post it or after a certain date I will post it as well, but if you want to have side splitting laughter ASAP I would suggest you go with the former rather than the latter. But seriously folks review! Even if it's a kind word (or not so kind word) I appreciate it, especially after working on this chapter. So I'll be eagerly awaiting your reviews folks.
